Heather Hettiarachchi is an associate with the Labour & Employment Practice Group.

Heather's expertise in labour and employment law is buttressed by considerable experience as a labour relations/human resources practitioner. She was a Human Resources Manager at a large Canadian University and the Labour Relations Advisor of Vancouver's oldest community college prior to being called to the British Columbia Bar. Before immigrating to Canada, Heather was the Human Resources Manager of a large private insurance company.

Heather articled with a leading labour and employment boutique firm in Vancouver, and prior to joining Clark Wilson, she was an associate in the labour and employment group of an eminent national firm.

While at University, Heather was actively involved in collective bargaining with CUPE and also gained considerable experience in job evaluation, job classification and compensation, return to work issues, and health and safety. She was also on the President's advisory committee on discrimination and harassment.

Heather was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2007 upon obtaining Canadian Accreditation of her legal qualifications after attending law school at the University of British Columbia. She previously graduated with a LL.B. (Honours) degree from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1992. Heather also earned an M.Sc. in Training & Human Resources Management from the University of Leicester, UK, in 2001.

Heather has taught labour law as a Visiting Lecturer at the Faculty of Law University of Colombo and the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Advising on all aspects of labour and employment issues arising in unionized and non-unionized workplaces.

Advising on the interpretation and application of collective agreements, collective bargaining, drafting collective agreements, discipline and termination, workers compensation, occupational health and safety, and privacy.

Advising on human rights issues including disability and harassment, employment standards issues, drafting and advising on individual employment contracts, and drafting policies and handbooks.

Representing clients with regard to human rights proceedings, arbitrations, labour board proceedings, privacy matters, employment standards matters, and wrongful dismissal claims.

Advising on labour and employment issues in the context of bankruptcy and restructuring, and business transactions.

Providing investigative services.

Law Society of British Columbia

Canadian Bar Association

British Columbia Human Resources Management Association (HRMA)

Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia

Canadian Corporate Counsel Association

Planning & Priorities Committee, BC Branch, Canadian Bar Association

Member at Large, Work Life Balance Committee, BC Branch, Canadian Bar Association

HRMA Mentor

Peer Mentor, Women Lawyers Forum

Board of Directors, Richmond Women's Resource Centre

Mentor, Leadership Richmond Youth Now

Volunteer Member, Richmond Family & Youth Court Committee (April 2007 – December 2008)